I Dream of Demigods

<

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Alexa Sullivan will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Ro Baird can't cast a spell without setting her own pants on fire—until she kisses her hot new boss, Alex. Suddenly, she's able to access her magic…sort of…and she now has a familiar, who may be more trouble than she is helpful.

Alex Kouris happens to be a soul-stealing demigod of the Underworld. He claims he's trying to leave the life, but can she really trust a man whose magical talents are manipulation and charm? When Alex enlists a shady ex to help him, Ro must risk her heart and her life to save him and humanity from Hades’s evil scheme.

Can she harness her true power to set Alex and herself free?

Read an Excerpt

I turned from side to side in front of the mirror, examining my half French braid. My dark-brown hair wound across the top of my head, like a crown. I tucked the end under the rest of my hair and twisted it into a side ponytail, tying it off with a clear elastic.

“Pretty.” Tabitha stood in my bathroom doorway. With her flat tone of voice, she might as well have been describing broccoli or glue.

I plucked a beaded fringe earring off the counter and slipped it through the hole in my right earlobe.

Lenti, who sat on the counter, trilled and swiped the earring with her paw.

“Nope.” I jerked my head away. “I got these at a craft fair, and you’re not destroying them.”

“What’s that?”

“Never mind.” Should’ve known this was going to happen. Gritting my teeth, I removed the earring and tucked it into a drawer. I tugged the neckline of my clingy black dress a little lower, then turned to Tabitha. “Is it too much? Should I wear my strappy sandals or my ankle boots?”

She crossed her arms. “Explain to me how this happened. You were supposed to talk to him, not go out with him.”

About the Author:

Alexa Sullivan writes humorous, contemporary paranormal romance. She imagines a world where the mundane meets magic -- and where vampires, werewolves and witches have normal jobs. Oh, and there are cats, too. She sets all her books in the beautiful state of Oregon. When not writing, she can be found walking her cat on a leash, hanging out with her husband, and watching far too much Bravo reality TV.

Website
Newsletter
Instagram
Twitter

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway >

Men of the 65th

 

Men of the 65th

by Talia Aikens-Nunez

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: YA Nonfiction

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.

 

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

 

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?

 

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 

The US public was shocked to discover that during the war, 162 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment had been court-martialed and ninety-one of those soldiers found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion. 

 

The US military kept the courts-martial quiet. But the soldiers of the 65th sent letters to their families describing what was happening, which led to public outcry and confusion from the press. How could one of the most distinguished regiments of the Korean War, whose soldiers had only months before been praised by General Douglas MacArthur for their “brilliant record of heroism,” become involved in the largest mass court-martial of the Korean War? 

 

Did the Borinqueneers lose their bravery and heroism in such a short time? Or were they victims of discrimination in a prejudiced and segregated system? Were they betrayed by the country they risked their lives for? 

 

This is the story of one of the bravest and most decorated regiments in the history of the US military. It is a forgotten story in a forgotten war. But it is a story of patriotism, loyalty, and bravery in the face of danger and discrimination, and it is one that deserves to be told.

A Word With the Author

 1.Did you always want to be an author? 

No, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter that I started writing. It was my children who inspired me to write. I write books that I believe they, and other children, would enjoy. I also write books that children of color can see themselves in. With this book, the Men of the 65^th, I wanted my kids to have a book on a slice of the rich history of Puerto Rico. 

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. 

My first book was Escucha Means listen. Receiving such positive feedback from reviewers and readers alike, pushed me to keep writing. And, now, here I am many years and 6 books later.

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? 

Steve Sheinkin is definitely my favorite YA nonfiction author. I devour his books in days or even hours. 

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? 

The best part is bringing a story to life. I love adding the small details and coloring a picture in your mind. The worst part is that it just takes so long from idea to story to pitching (and rejection) to finally an acceptance to editing again to finally publication. It has taken me about 10 years from the day I started researching the Men of the 65^th to publication. It is a long but fulfilling process. 

5.What are you working on now?

I really enjoy writing nonfiction young adult books. At this time, I am still looking for the next story that I want to research more. I am looking for a little-known story in history that deserves more attention. In particular, I like shining a light on people and stories in history that for whatever reason were ignored. If you know of a story, please let me know. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Talia Aikens-Nuñez is passionate about sharing with young readers the little known stories, accomplishments, and contributions of people of color from all throughout history. Aikens-Nuñez is the author of Small Nap, Little Dream, a bilingual Spanish/English picture book. She and her husband live in Connecticut with their two children.

 

Links: 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War/dp/1728479142

Lerner: https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/22654

Twitter: talia_n

Website: Http://www.kidslitbytalia.com 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/taliaaikensnunezchildrenswriter

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Talia Aikens-Nunez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bells & Bombshells

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Trixie Silvertale will be awarding a $75 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other hosts on the tour.

A pattern of murder. A threadbare case. Can our psychic sleuth pick out the guilty before time spools out?

Mitzy Moon is finally tying the knot. And she’s loving the whole town’s excitement for their upcoming big day. But when their tailor is found buttons up behind a jazz lounge, the almost-newlyweds will have to hem in a murderer before their dreams rip apart at the seams.

Knowing they’ll get no help from the new sheriff in town, the couple embarks on a tightly woven undercover assignment. But Mitzy fails to heed ominous warnings from her mentor, Ghost-ma, and her entitled feline. When another body drops, she could be the next target erased by the mounting powers in the darkness…

Can Mitzy and Erick unravel the twisted clues, or will their wedding be eclipsed by a funeral?

Bells and Bombshells is the first book in a hilarious new paranormal cozy mystery series, Harper and Moon Investigations. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s wedded whodunit.

Buy Bells and Bombshells to stitch up a killer today!

Read an Excerpt

At long last, Erick turns to me and exhales dramatically. “How about we take a little drive, and I bring you up to speed?”

What am I going to say? First and foremost, I’m a diehard snoop. I absolutely have to know what’s going on. “Sure, Sheriff Harper. I can’t wait to be ushered into the inner circle.” My snarky tone is not lost on my intelligent boyfriend.

“Don’t get a burr under your saddle, Moon. It’s all good, I promise.”

He grabs his thick uniform jacket, takes my hand, and leads me out to his cruiser.

As he opens the door for me, a cloud of sadness blows over me. Is this my last time riding in the cruiser with the sheriff? What is he going to do next? And more importantly, where is he going to do it?

He closes the door, jogs around the front of the vehicle — making his plain uniform look like an Armani European-cut suit — and hops into the driver’s seat.

He cruises down Main Street, past Rex’s Drugstore, the boarded up Montgomery Wards, and a few other abandoned buildings whose signs have long-faded. When the iron ore mines shut down, most of Birch County took a massive financial hit. Towns like Pin Cherry Harbor have been able to keep afloat by repositioning themselves as enviable tourist destinations.

The sheriff turns right and heads across Third Avenue, past my favorite patisserie, and right again, eventually making it back to First Avenue.

We’re only a few blocks past my bookshop, back on the corner of First and Main, when he turns into an old gas station. This particular abandoned petrol station played a key part in a previous case I solved, and I happen to know it used to belong to local criminal mastermind Leticia Whitecloud. Not to mention, it connects to a warren of underground tunnels used during the prohibition era.

Despite the little pout I’m having, my curiosity is piqued.

Erick jumps out, opens my door, and instructs me to close my eyes.

“Close my eyes? I don’t think I like any part of this, Sheriff. You do know I have quite a lot of other senses I can rely on, even when my eyes are closed.”

He circles his arm around me, leans tantalizingly close, and whispers in my ear. “I’d consider it a personal favor if you would turn off all of those other senses, and let me have this moment. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

And I’m dead

About the Author:

USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Harper and Moon Investigations series, and she's thrilled to write them and share them with you.

Website
Instagram
Facebook
Audible Author Page
Amazon Author Page
BookBub Author Page

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Raven, Romda and Ravai: Malketh and the Undead

 

Raven, Romda and Ravai: Malketh and the Undead, Vol.2

by Dave Maruszewski

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: Middle Grade, Fantasy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Raven, Romda and Ravai are settling into their new knightly duties well. With the Dark Beast defeated, their normal tasks almost seem mundane.

 

Amidst the boredom, Ravai asks, “Why does no one talk about villains from the past?”

 

Romda reasons, “What would be the point?”

 

There is a point. Even though villains may have been defeated in the past, they may still be around, waiting in the background ready to resurface once again.

 

Malketh has returned to the kingdom, but something is different about him this time. He is back with an entire army … an entire army of undead soldiers!

 

“Whether you want to read this aloud to your little one or let them explore this magical world on their own, parents can rest assured that this second installment in the Raven, Romda, and Ravai series will be a playful, whimsical addition to their bookshelves.” –The Book Review Directory

 

“… the squires are appealing characters, as is their comical banter.” - Blue Ink Review

 

A great story for the fantasy loving youth, this adventure will appeal to those who like action and humor in an easy reading environment.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 

They keep going until they hear a large rumble.  A small mass of rocks fall to the ground.  The three look up and see a gigantic figurine of a man holding a giant emerald.  Romda puts her lantern up to the emerald, and the light refracts and bounces off the many faces such that the whole room is lit.  This brings relief to the three.

 

Unfortunately, they notice something else.  When the room comes up from the dark, Raven, Romda and Ravai notice all these eyes staring at them.  The undead are here.  The three are surrounded.

 

Perplexed, Raven, Romda and Ravai freeze.  They are scared.  However, the entire horde of undead does not approach them.  What is wrong with them?  What do they want?

 

At last, the undead begin to slowly stir.  They begin to walk slowly.  At first they seem to move in random directions.  Then, a pattern to their motion becomes apparent.  They move about, revealing an opening in their numbers in the shape of a small circle.  That opening reveals a hooded figure.  The hooded figure says…

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Dave Maruszewski is blessed with a great family.  He was originally inspired to write stories by his wife and son.  

 

He strives to develop stories with sound moral values that will be enlightening as well as entertaining to youths and adults.  The Raven, Romda and Ravai books are targeted especially for children who shy away from reading.  His stories are created from an accumulation of experience from careers/backgrounds as a physicist, engineer, teacher, artist, video game designer and software developer.  

 

In between writing stories and running his own company, Digital Tumult (DigitalTumult.com), Dave enjoys video games, watching internet videos and hanging out with his family.

 

Book: www.ravenromdaandravai.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dave-Maruszewski-Books-100693982454237/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21946064.Dave_Maruszewski

NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/publisher/84200

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dave-Maruszewski/e/B09KQLN57W

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To Blog or Not.

 “What characteristics make for an interesting blog? Do you regularly read many/any blogs (besides this one)? Why or why not?”

I didn’t really read blogs until my first book was published. At the time I had no idea how to promote it, but several more experienced authors told me to start a blog. I made one on Blogspot and started making posts. I took great care to speak of books and information I thought other authors would like to know. It wasn’t long before I was getting many visits per day. I think the largest number I ever had was about 500 day. I got loads of comments and discussions too. I was pleased.

But as time went by, fewer and fewer people showed up. The content didn’t change, but I think lots of people just stopped reading blogs. Some may have made a transition to YouTube, Instagram, etc. I never did. So, what blogs do I read now?

There are a few author blogs I like, and I enjoy home remodeling and decorating. I’ve followed some people because they had for want of a better word, a gimmick of some sort. Like the lady with nine children for instance. If the blogger is on a blogging schedule I appreciate having it up on time. Not that I expect every post to be brilliant, but I’d like to read it to the end before I get too bored. I don’t like blogs with too much information crowded onto the page, and I especially dislike having to hunt for the post. I’ve been to blogs where I got so disgusted trying to find the post that I quit hunting. Also, if your blog is a sweet romance blog don’t try to sneak anything erotic by me. Be consistent in your message.

As far as my own personal blog goes, I’m mainly a book blogger there. I still talk about my own work, but I suspect not many people are interested. So what’s your take on things? If you get lots of hits on your blog, please tell me how you did it.

The Beautiful Misfits

<

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Eighty-four seconds can change your life. Or destroy it. Josie Nickels is an Emmy-winning news anchor, poised to rise through the ranks of television journalism. On a bitter March evening on live TV, the pressures and secrets burbling behind the closed doors of her ridiculous Victorian mansion explode and the overwhelmed journalist spills family secrets like a Baptist at altar call. The aftermath costs her much more than a career. It robs her of a beloved son—a preppy, educated millennial trapped in the deadly world of addiction. Desperate for a new start and a way to save her son, Josie packs up her pride, her young daughter, and accepts a new job slinging cosmetics at a department store make-up counter with other disgraced celebs. In the gorgeous mountains of Asheville N.C., known for hippies, healings, and Subarus, Josie is faced with a choice for her son: Take a chance on a bold, out-of-the-ordinary treatment plan for her son or lose him forever. This heart-wrenching and, at times, hilarious novel, will delight fans of book-club women’s fiction and inspire and give hope to those with addicted sons and daughters.

Read an Excerpt

She’d felt the bump of her lower abs, firm with life as she stood from the vanity and twirled in the fitted, beautifully cut gown, its swishy A-line skirt floating beneath her waist. In the mirror, the iridescent beads shimmered against the sun drifting through her bedroom window.

Her parents’ fifteen-room Beaux Arts mansion spoke Southern elegance at its uppity best. As she admired the gown, she heard staccato raps at the door. Without invitation, her mother burst into her pink-and-cream bedroom with its billowing canopy bed that made Josie feel protected. “You look beautiful,” she said, scanning her in her entirety. Josie waited for the “but.” “Turn around and let me see you from the side.”

Katherine looked striking—and intimidating—in her ruby mother-of-the-bride gown, its ruched waist showing off her incredible figure and a front slit opening to reveal a long, tanned leg. “The dress is deliciously posh. However…” she said, hands on Josie’s shoulders as she angled her in the light. She rubbed her forehead. “I’m having second thoughts about you wearing white. Anyhow, too late now, isn’t it?”

Josie inhaled sharply, refusing to let her mother ruin this day. “Can’t you wear a support garment? Around your middle?”

“I’m four months pregnant, Mother. It’s not exactly a secret.”

“Secret or not. We’re not the bloody sort to display our premarital lust at the altar.”

Josie flushed but said nothing. Her mother’s barbs and put-on British jargon would not get to her today. She had nothing to hide. It was 1994, for heaven’s sake, and not puritanical times when young women like her had been shuttled away to stay with “beloved relatives.”

About the Author:

Susan Reinhardt grew up in LaGrange, GA. and Spartanburg, S.C.where most girls twirled batons, entered beauty pageants, and became debutantes.

Bucking the norm, Susan spent her free time water skiing almost every day, fishing, and pining for a ragamuffin boy who was always up to no good.

Earlier in her college years, she pursued nursing, but most of her patients were terminal and her mastery and frequency of giving enemas had her questioning this line of work, though she adores nurses and often wishes she’d have stuck with the field.

She recently took a part-time job caring for adults with disabilities and loves the work, figuring it would at least make up for past misdeeds and get her a better shot at the Pearly Gates.

Writing has always been her first love. And she became good enough at it to earn many dozens of awards, including three Best of Gannetts for her feature stories and columns. Along with a bunch of other junk that really doesn't matter in the end.

What matters to Reinhardt is making people laugh. And think. And love others.

She is married to her second and final husband, country and genius lawyer Donny Laws who is bald but has a ponytail and loves to ride a bike. She has two adult kids, three steps, and a granddaughter.

She’s been on national TV, has modeled for one glossy magazine, and was the subject of a British documentary on aging and body image. She hopes that the documentary is lost and never resurfaces.

She once had a radio show called Susan Uncensored; a sold-out one-woman show called “From Hilarity to Insanity and Back.”

She no longer water skis but performs fairly decent front and backflips from a diving board and sort of rides a unicycle and twirls a baton simultaneously.

Her hobbies include a vintage camper obsession and she’s owned three. Recently she’s settled on her 1968 Scotsman, which she hopes to paint pink and teal with polka-dots and haul on book tours.

She has two rescue cats who vehemently hate each other.

In her next life, she’d like to be a figure skater.

Amazon

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram

a Rafflecopter giveaway >

Marked

 

Marked

by K. A. Gandy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:   YA Dystopian Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

On the run from the men who murdered her parents, there's only one way to save herself. Marriage to a genetically-matched stranger.

Demy has been on the run since she was thirteen years old. Mysterious men in black cloaks have been chasing her, and so far she's evaded them. Something, though, has changed since she turned eighteen. Their attempts to capture her have gotten closer and closer, until she's only got one option left: turning herself over to the NLC, for the compulsory marriage program.

She doesn't want to get married, but with her would-be captors on her heels, she's got no choice but to hope the NLC's strict security protocols will be a safe haven. Marriage is a small price to pay for her life, after all. And maybe, just maybe, she'll finally have the space to discover why she's being hunted.

***
Marked is a new entry point in the Populations Crumble world, but many familiar characters will be present from the original trilogy.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 

The man in black found me yesterday. I was able to slip away for the night, but he’s getting closer. It’s awful timing, him cropping up right now—as I’m only two blocks from the bus stop—but I just caught a glimpse of his hood again. For the last five years, whenever one of them catches my trail, I lie low until they lose my tracks, and then hop the next bus or train out of town and hit the farthest tri-state I can afford the fare to. 

 

Simple. Clean. Safe.

 

Unfortunately, that’s not an option right now. I have to be at the bus stop at three p.m. The shuttle only comes once a quarter, and I’m not going to make it another three months. I look down at my banged-up watch and see there are only fifteen minutes left. Making a split-second decision, I take a hard left into the alley in front of me, and duck into the side entrance of a smoke-filled bar. As soon as the door shuts behind me, I dash into the bathroom—a single stall, thankfully—and slide the bolt home.

 

I don’t know what’s changed since I turned eighteen, but I haven’t made it a full month since without one of them finding me, and it’s freaking frustrating. What’s changed? I honestly don’t know. But after five months, I’m out of cash and out of options. I can’t keep a job long enough to build up my cash cushion without getting busted again. 

 

Which is why I finally pulled my last-resort card and contacted the NLC about getting matched. 

A Word With the Author

1.Did you always want to be an author? No, actually! I have always written, but not necessarily with a goal or plan; journals, notes, love notes, poetry, freewriting when I needed to clear my head. It wasn’t until I quit my corporate job to stay home with my kids that I had the time to explore writing as a career. 

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. Oh, my. It was a whirlwind! The whole thing went so much faster than I thought was possible, and I was so, so nervous. I laid awake the night before, vacillating between scared no one would buy it and that people would buy it, but then hate it. It was a long night. But, it came out, and it all turned out well in the end. Two years later, that book is still my best seller. 

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? I don’t know that I have one single favorite author in Dystopian; I read widely, so I have a few favorites. But if I had to pick one from Dystopian only, I’m going to go Dystopian-adjacent and say Cinda Williams Chima. Her Demon King series is phenomenal. 

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? The best part is getting to do what I love, and make a living. I enjoy both the writing and business aspects of it, so it’s really a good fit for my personality. The worst part is putting something up publicly that you worked so hard on, knowing that not everyone will like it, and it may be criticized. Growing a thick skin is a necessary part of the job, though, and I try to learn from any negative feedback, instead of taking it personally. 

5.What are you working on now? The Hatchling, the second book in my Fantasy series. I’m a genre-hopper, so I get to switch worlds after every book, which I love. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

K. A. Gandy was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, and is married with two kids. She has worked as a restaurant hostess, library book shelver, ranch hand, tour guide, Realtor, tech whiz, landlord, and small business consultant, all in addition to pursuing her passion of writing. She likes to write late in the evenings and thinks drinking hot tea and baking great cookies fuels hopes and dreams. If you would like to find more of her works, you can sign up for her newsletter at https://www.subscribepage.com/kagandy. You can also get updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/KAGandyAuthor. I’ve also recently started a facebook group for readers, who enjoy YA Dystopian books, and am available by email at kagandyauthor@gmail.com as well, if you’d ever like to drop me a line directly!

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/K.-A.-Gandy/author/B08NLQQTZF?ref

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

K. A. Gandy will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hacienda Moon

 

Hacienda Moon

by KaSonndra Leigh

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:   Paranormal Gothic Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Tandie Harrison is a police medium struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating divorce that left her without her precious daughter and her psychic visions. With a heavy heart, she escapes the hustle and bustle of New York City and moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose. Here, she meets Eric, the home’s charismatic caretaker. Despite the ghostly warnings, Tandie finds herself drawn to him, and as their affair intensifies, so does the centuries-old curse haunting them both.

Suddenly, Tandie finds herself at the center of a dark and dangerous web full of deceit and intrigue. As fear begins to consume her, she must find the courage to face the demons of her past if she is to have any chance at a future. Hacienda Moon is a captivating story full of suspense and romance that will ensnare you from start to finish.

Note to readers and bookclubs:

This is the expanded and revamped edition of the Hacienda Moon that was originally published in 2012. Please be sure to add this version to your to-read list as this edition contains more gothic suspense, intrigue, and of course romance.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 

The results of Eric’s handyman skills were beautiful. The final perk was the light rose-colored exterior paint, a shade considered original to the house. Eric didn’t say a word about my upgraded paintbrushes. He was too busy making sure I didn’t catch him watching me as I bent over to paint the lowest boards on the house. However, I turned around at the perfect moment on paint day and caught him staring. His face flushed so badly, I couldn’t resist doing something to celebrate my small victory.

 

“Wow, it’s so hot out here today.” I stretched my arms, lifting my tee-shirt up until my belly button was exposed, basking in the warmth of the late summer sun. Eric’s mouth fell open. Success! That move totally stole Mr. Intense's attention. Tucking my lips, I made a move toward an even more creative tease, bending over to pick up one of the three paint brushes I’d dropped.

 

“What are you doing?” he asked.

 

“What does it look like? I dropped my paintbrushes.” I shrugged and waved the brush between us. “Did I not use the proper technique for bending over and picking it up?” 

 

He gave me a dimpled grin and moved closer to where I stood beside the house. Glancing down at the brushes beside my feet, he said, “They do look somewhat dirty. You sure you can handle that task? You strike me as somewhat of a nice girl. With that much paint and dirt all in the heads, you have to get a little rough with cleaning them.” His gaze bore into mine, smoldering me under a hazel brown sugary-colored look this time.

 

I held his gaze. “Oh, believe me. I have plenty of ways to clean dirty things.”

 

There was about a foot of space between us now. “Is that right?” 

 

“Oh yeah,” I answered, hoping that the pulse line on my neck didn’t show the way my heart thumped inside my chest. 

 

His gaze drifted from my eyes down to my lips and finally ended at my left shoulder. “Then why don’t you start by cleaning that big red spider off your shoulder?” An amused smile spread across his lips, but a scream shrilled out of mine. 

 

Eric slammed his hands over his ears. “Damn it, Tandie.”

 

Adrenaline spiked through me. He might as well have said my breasts were hanging out. He would’ve gotten less of a response than he did with the spider statement. “Get it off me! Do you see it? Is it still there? Get it!” I shrieked, jumping around and spinning in half circles. 

 

“I won’t help you until you stop trying to burst my eardrums,” he said, still half-way smiling. He came over and put his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. “Calm down, Tandie. It’s gone, all right?” 

 

Vowing to never tease Eric ever again, I waited for my breathing to normalize and for my trembling limbs to steady as I was pressed against Eric’s chest.

A Word With the Author

 1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

Yes, from as far back as I can remember, I have had a deep-seated passion for writing. I used to spend countless hours reading books, filling up journals with stories, and imagining new worlds in my mind. Even when I pursued other careers, such as teaching and counseling, my love for writing never faded. It wasn't until years later that I finally realized what I truly wanted to do: become a published author.

 

Becoming a published author has been a long and challenging journey, but it's one that I wouldn't trade for anything. Writing has given me a way to express myself and share my stories with the world. It's a magical feeling to know that my words have the power to transport readers to new places, make them feel emotions they never thought possible, and inspire them to take action in their own lives.

 

Of course, the road to becoming a successful author isn't easy. There have been countless rejections, moments of self-doubt, and setbacks along the way. But these obstacles have only made me more determined to pursue my dream. I've attended writing conferences, joined writing groups, and honed my craft to become the best writer I can be.

 

In the end, I'm grateful for every experience that has brought me to where I am today. Writing will always be an essential part of who I am, and I can't imagine my life without it.

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

When Copper Suns Fall, my first book, was a labor of love that took me many years to bring to fruition. I started writing the novel when I was in college, and it went through many revisions over the years.

 

After I felt like the manuscript was finally in a place where it was ready to be published, I had to figure out how to get it out to the world. Going through the publishing process was an eye-opening experience. I learned so much about the industry and what it takes to get a book out into the world. In the end, When Copper Suns Fall was published by a small press, I was thrilled to finally see my work in print. Seeing the positive response to the book was incredibly rewarding and inspiring, and it motivated me to continue writing even more.

 

Looking back on the publication of my first book, I'm filled with gratitude for everyone who helped make it possible, and I'm especially grateful to the readers who took a chance on a new author. It was a challenging journey, but one that taught me so much about perseverance, determination, and the power of storytelling.

 

 

 

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? 

 

I have so many favorite authors who write in this unique niche of haunted houses, writers with tortured souls and ill-fated lovers. A few who first come to mind are: Stephen King, Anne Rice, Darcy Coates, and Dean Koontz. A few classical authors I adore and find myself inspired by on the regular are: Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley, and Ann Radcliffe. Oh yeah, and let’s not ever forget the great Edgar Allan Poe.

 

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

As an author, the best part is having the ability to create something out of nothing. Writing allows me to expand my imagination, explore different worlds and characters, and bring them to life through my words. It's a deeply fulfilling and gratifying experience.

 

Furthermore, writing has provided me with a platform to share my voice and impact others positively. Nothing gives me more joy than to receive messages from readers, telling me how my stories have touched them or helped them in some way.

 

On the other hand, the worst part of being an author is how competitive and challenging the industry can be. There are millions of books out there, many of them written by talented authors, so it can be tough to stand out and get noticed. Marketing one's book and engaging with potential readers can be a daunting and almost endless effort. Not to mention, sometimes it can be stressful trying to keep up with deadlines, balance promotions with your work, and make enough income to sustain your livelihood.

 

There are also moments of self-doubt and vulnerability that come with putting my work out there for others. Receiving negative reviews or not selling as many copies as I'd hoped can be discouraging at times.

 

Still, despite the challenges, being an author is a dream job for me. I feel lucky to be able to write for a living, share my stories with others, and connect with people through my words.

 

5.What are you working on now?

 

Currently, I'm delving deeper into the character of Saul Chelby, who is introduced in my previous novel Hacienda Moon. Saul is a complex, fascinating character with a rich backstory, and I'm excited to explore his journey further.

 

The story I'm writing will follow Saul as he navigates his complicated past and the challenges he faces in the present. I can't give too much away, but I will say that the story will be full of twists and turns, and will give readers a deeper understanding of Saul's character and motivations.

 

As with all my writing, I want to make sure that the story is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and emotionally impactful. I'm excited to see where Saul's journey takes me, and I can't wait to share it with my readers when it's ready.

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Meet your word sculptress...

 

Author of the #1 Amazon International bestselling novels, the Prelude and the Lost Immortals Saga, KaSonndra is also a mother, designer, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. She believes in karma, coffee, and seriously wishes that the producers of Xena would bring her favorite show back. 

KaSonndra was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when she's not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals Saga setting). Most of her characters are based on people that she has met throughout her travels and adventures. 

People tend to stop and start conversations with KaSonndra as if she has known them her entire life. Does this freak her out? Not really. Her mom says that one day she’ll get kidnapped by one of these folks. KaSonndra's response? She told her mom that if it weren’t for these lovely people, then she wouldn’t be able to create such fabulously romantic stories!

Visit KaSonndra's at one of her online homes:

Main Author Webpage: https://kasonndraleigh.com 

Facebook Fan Page: http://facebook.com/kasonndraleighbookspage

Twitter: @kasonndraleigh

Instagram: @kasonndraleighbooks

Online Blogazine: http://livewellbefabulous.com

 

Amazon author's link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/KaSonndra-Leigh/author/B0066W7GY4?ref

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

KaSonndra Leigh will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway